Dufry Group on Friday opened its refurbished duty free walkthrough store at Guadeloupe Pôle Caraïbes Airport, with the travel retailer expecting further expansions in the coming months.

Located in the international departures hall, the new store measures 800sq m – an increase of +60% compared to the previous commercial area.

The refurbishment was delivered in partnership with CAFOM – Dufry’s local partner in Guadeloupe – and Société Aéroportuaire Guadeloupe Pôle Caraïbes.

In a statement, Dufry confirms that further projects including a new 108sq m landside Hudson News store and a complete overhaul of the regional departure hall duty free shop, which is set to triple the current commercial space, are expected to unveil in the coming months.

In May, the travel retailer inaugurated two landside stores: the Beach Store surf shop located on the ground floor of the international terminal, and the region’s largest Hudson convenience shop in Terminal 2.

SPIRIT OF GUADELOUPE 

Dufry says its merchandising approach aims to reflect the spirit of Guadeloupe at an airport that handles more than two million passengers annually and serves as an important tourist gateway.

The new Dufry Pôle Caraïbes store offers travellers a wide variety of more than 300 local food and liquor products, including celebrated Guadeloupian regional rum brands Damoiseau, Bologne, Bielle, Longueteau, Karukera and Madras. In addition, a tasting bar will host 250 tasting days per year.

Other novelties include fine chocolate and confectionery goods, jam, honey and locally produced coffee, with a strong emphasis on culturally resonant products such as the island’s renowned spicy sauce.

Dufry has been collaborating with the airport for 17 years, and the latest development is the result of two year’s planning, development and implementation.

Pedro Castro, Divisional CEO Southern Europe and Africa, Dufry said: “It is crucial that each store fits into the backdrop of the country in which it is located, and that we would not be where we are today without our local teams.

“We have had the good fortune to work with Guadeloupe Pôle Caraïbes Airport for 17 years almost to the day. The two- way support and sharing of know-how for our mutual business needs and objectives, to create the commercial offer that the airport has achieved today, is an example to follow and repeat across the world.

“Our fantastic local partners, CAFOM, have been crucial in adjusting our business strategy here to best fit in the Guadeloupian local context and we are positive that the outcome of these strong partnerships will provide the foundation for our joint success over the next 10 years”.

CORE DUTY FREE BOOST

In the main duty free categories, the perfume & cosmetics area has doubled to 200sq m, accompanied by a comprehensive renewal of its product assortment.

As a result, 18 new brands have been introduced including Zadig & Voltaire, Escada, Roberto Cavalli, Tom Ford, Tommy Hilfiger, Clinique, Nuxe and OPI.

In the jewellery and watches section, eight new brands have joined the lineup, including Hugo Boss, Swatch and Daniel Wellington.

In sunglasses, Maui Jim, Havaianas, Polaroid and Armani flank iconic global brands in the fashion category such as Furla.

Dufry last year won a 10-year contract extension at Guadeloupe Pôle Caraïbes Airport, which included an agreement to develop five new stores and to double its retail space to more than 1,100sq m. The new development programme began in December.